PRODUCT PIPELINE : ORTHOPEDICS        Orthopedics is the branch of medicine concerned with diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system, including the joints, ligaments, tendons, and nerves.  In this field, polymers can be used as absorbable implants in the treatment of bone degeneration, in the care of diseases of joints and connecting tissues, and for surgical repair of traumatic injury.  Specific applications include those utilized for internal fixation, longer term bone and joint replacement, and extensive reconstruction procedures.   Such applications benefit when a device is absorbable, as one may circumvent the potential need for device removal and/or decrease the risk of infection which is inherent in permanent devices.  In addition, the polymers must be well suited so that they do not cause an inflammatory tissue response. Tepha is developing constructs for repair of ligament and tendon injuries.  Moreover, there are plans to develop devices to aid in the repair of cartilaginous tissues and menisci.  Hence, the Company's technology is being used to develop devices for use in these applications in order to offer superior performance, including better mechanical properties, tailored rates of bioabsorption, and improved biological responses.